The bed shifts as Kodie rolls off and stands to his feet.
For the very briefest of moments, I’m able to appreciate his insanely beautiful naked form. But then reality comes crashing back.
“Sutton,” I whisper. “Fuck. I’m so sorry, Kodie. I didn’t mean to?—”
“Not your fault,” he insists.
Our plan was to set an alarm so I could leave before Sutton woke up.
I said it was okay for me just to go home originally, but after snuggling in his bed, talking into the early hours, we agreed I’d get up early and slip out.
“Fuck,” he barks, sinking his fingers into his hair and tugging until it has to hurt.
“It’ll be okay,” I whisper as I get to my feet and rush to him.
As I move, I swear every muscle in my body aches, but nowhere is as persistent as between my thighs.
Holy shit. Last night was epic.
“I know,” he says, although the panic in his eyes defies his words. “I’m just…I’m not…how do I even begin to explain this to a seven-year-old?”
I smile up at him as I cup his rough cheeks.
Honestly, I have no idea. The only experience I really have with kids is from when I was one. But Sutton is smart and crazily observant. She already knows. That doesn’t mean we should ambush her with it though. Kodie still needs to talk to her.
“Sutton is a smart kid,” I assure him. “Trust her to understand in her own way.”
His hands grip my hips as he leans forward, pressing a kiss to my forehead. His lips linger for a few seconds as warmth spreads through my naked body.
He takes a deep breath, trying to calm himself down.
“Being a parent is really fucking hard,” he confesses. “I didn’t think I’d have to deal with explaining adult sleepovers to my daughter for a few years yet.”
I chuckle. “She doesn’t need all the details. Right now, all she cares about is that you’re happy."
“I am,” he says quickly, cutting off whatever else I was about to say. “I’m so fucking happy, Casey.”
I don’t need to hear the words; I can see it in his eyes, in the curve of the small smile on his lips. Feel it in his touch. But still, the affirmation makes me feel lighter.
Right now, I am making this incredible man happy. It blows my mind.
“Me too,” I agree. “And Sutton will be too. She loves me.”
He groans, his smile growing.
“She sure does.”
I swear, my heart swells in my chest.
“I could just sneak out?” I offer, still feeling like I need to talk him down from a ledge.
“Your car is in the driveway,” he points out.
“She might not have seen it,” I reason.
“Have you met my daughter? She’d know if a house plant had been moved.”
I can’t help but smirk. “You have house plants?”
